Test system for the evaluation of a coating to biofouling and fluid shear forces

Abstract

Described is a test system for the evaluation of a coating to biofouling and fluid shear forces in natural seawater, comprising: a support structure for holding test panels, a first array of separate, spaced apart test panels being arranged on the support structure (a) in two or more coaxial circles around an axis and (b) in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis, the test panels being provided with the same or different coatings on one side, a drive assembly being arranged so that the first array of test panels on the support structure can be rotated around the axis.

1 . Test system for the evaluation of a coating to biofouling and fluid shear forces in natural seawater, comprising: 
 a support structure for holding test panels,    a first array of separate test panels ( 2 ,  4 ,  6 ) being arranged on the support structure (a) in two or more coaxial circles around an axis and (b) in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis, the test panels being provided with the same or different coatings on one side,    a drive assembly being arranged so that the first array of test panels ( 2 ,  4 ,  6 ) on the support structure can be rotated around the axis.    
     
     
         2 . Test system according to  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises (a) a disc ( 10 ) or (b) concentric support rings for supporting the first array of test panels.  
     
     
         3 . Test system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first array of test panels ( 2 ,  4 ,  6 ) comprises three, four or more coaxial circles of test panels.  
     
     
         4 . Test system according to  claim 1 , comprising at least a second array of test panels, the second array of test panels being arranged on the support structure in an axial distance from the first array of test panels ( 2 ,  4 ,  6 ), the support structure comprising (a) a disc ( 12 ) or (b) concentric support rings or (c) other support elements for supporting the second array of test panels, and the second array of test panels comprising a single circle or two, three, four or more coaxial circles of spaced-apart test panels.  
     
     
         5 . Test system according to  claim 1 , wherein the drive assembly comprises a shaft ( 20 ) for rotating the first array of test panels ( 2 ,  4 ,  6 ) around the axis, the support structure being mounted to the shaft ( 20 ).  
     
     
         6 . Test system according to  claim 1 , wherein the test panels are flat on at least one side where the coating is provided.  
     
     
         7 . Method for evaluating a coating on a substrate to biofouling and/or fluid shear forces in water, comprising the following steps: 
 providing one or more test panels coated with a coating which is to be evaluated,    assembling a test system according to any of the preceding claims using the test panel(s) provided,    immersing the assembled test system into water so that the test panels provided are in contact with water,    rotating the test system at a defined rotational speed for a defined time,    upon rotation evaluating the test panels for the effects of biofouling and/or fluid shear forces.    
     
     
         8 . Method according to  claim 7 , wherein the test system is immersed freely in water so that vortex formation is reduced in comparison with a test set-up where the test system is enclosed in a drum or other container.  
     
     
         9 . Method according to  claim 7 , wherein the water is natural seawater or water from a natural river or lake.  
     
     
         10 . Method according to  claim 7 , wherein during assembly of the test system at least two test panels which are provided with the same coating are mounted in different distances from the axis.  
     
     
         11 . Method according to  claim 7 , wherein at least the test panels of one coaxial circle of the assembled test system are rotated with a peripheral speed within the range of 150-1300 m/min.  
     
     
         12 . (canceled)